September 24, Colombo (LNW): The Indian and Sri Lankan navies have concluded the 13th edition of their bilateral maritime exercise, SLINEX-26, with a series of demanding operations off Visakhapatnam aimed at strengthening coordination and interoperability between the two forces.
The five-day exercise combined professional exchanges on shore with intensive training at sea, giving personnel from both navies an opportunity to develop a closer understanding of each other’s procedures and operational methods.
The exercise moved into its maritime phase after an initial harbour programme that included cross-deck visits, professional discussions and sporting activities. Once at sea, the participating vessels carried out a range of coordinated manoeuvres designed to test their ability to operate together in challenging conditions.
Training activities included advanced seamanship, aviation operations and night-time replenishment at sea, as well as specialised drills involving Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) procedures and combat slithering techniques.
The Indian Navy said the sea phase involved increasingly complex exercises intended to improve tactical coordination and the ability of the two forces to work together during maritime security operations.
Indian participation included the indigenously built anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kavaratti and fleet tanker INS Jyoti, while the Sri Lanka Navy deployed its offshore patrol vessel SLNS Sindurala.
The combination of surface operations, air activity and Special Forces training provided an opportunity for personnel to practise responses requiring close coordination between ships, aircraft and specialist teams.
Officials said the exercise also served as a platform for exchanging operational experience and best practices, while helping both navies develop a greater degree of familiarity with each other’s capabilities.
The latest edition of SLINEX comes as India and Sri Lanka continue to expand maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean. Regular naval exercises between the two countries are intended to strengthen practical coordination in areas including maritime surveillance, anti-piracy efforts and the protection of vital sea routes.
The Indian Ministry of Defence said the exercise demonstrated the longstanding maritime relationship between the neighbouring countries and contributed to efforts to maintain a secure and stable Indian Ocean region.
New Delhi also linked SLINEX-26 to its wider regional approach, including the MAHASAGAR vision and the Neighbourhood First policy, with emphasis on maritime cooperation, capacity building and greater operational interoperability.
The successful completion of the exercise is expected to provide further momentum to naval engagement between India and Sri Lanka, while giving both sides additional experience in conducting coordinated operations at sea.